A Dubai-based energy company has purchased one of York County’s historic business properties along with the company that has operated there for 25 years.
Sale Details
Esyasoft, founded in 2014, bought the 129-year-old former Ross Cannon Mill this month for $2.5 million. The deal also includes Vision Metering, an automated electric meter company that relocated to York from Belmont, North Carolina, in 2001.
Future Plans for the Site
The former mill at 7 Ross Cannon St. will become Esyasoft’s North American headquarters. Vision Metering CEO Randy Austin said the 212,000-square-foot building will be updated, but the ownership change won’t affect the company’s 65 employees. Austin and Executive Vice President Debbie Ruth will stay for a couple of years during the transition.
Historical Significance
The 25-acre mill site has been part of York’s business community since 1897, originally as a cotton mill. The site expanded over time and once housed Fruit of the Loom operations.
City Approval and Community Impact
Significant changes to the building will require city approval. Mayor Mike Fuesser confirmed he is aware of the sale and expects to meet the new owners soon. He noted that Esyasoft’s plan is to expand the existing business rather than introduce a new type of industry.
Vision Metering Overview
Vision Metering, rebranded from Austin International in 2011, has operated for 35 years and works globally on electric, water, and gas metering projects in Latin America, the Caribbean, the Philippines, and Canada.
Regional Business Context
Recent years have seen heightened scrutiny of large companies moving into the region due to concerns about power usage, water consumption, and chemical storage. Austin emphasized that Esyasoft will continue operating quietly, maintaining the existing business while expanding its footprint.
